Several fans boo Kim Mulkey as LSU HC embraces Dawn Staley before Tigers suffer first defeat to Gamecocks
LSU coach Kim Mulkey was met with an arena full of boos before her Tigers played against Dawn Staley's Gamecocks at the Colonial Life Arena on Friday. In a video uploaded by WACH FOX's Sports Director Matt Dowell on X, Mulkey is seen exiting the tunnel to a relentless chorus of boos from the home crowd.
However, the experienced coach kept calm. She walked the fans' animosity off, hugged Staley at half-court, took her time to communicate and proceeded toward her team.
While the Tigers showcased elite chemistry all season, they lacked the experience of facing ranked teams as they entered Friday's contest.
Nevertheless, fans played a huge role in helping South Carolina maintain a competitive edge in the 66-56 win. Dawn Staley thanked the supporters for their passion, saying the team fed off it at certain points in the contest.
"We had one extra day that I really didn't want 'cause we were amped up to play on Thursday but, this crowd showed up," she said in a courtside interview after the win. "This crowd poured into our team and we fed off the energy in this building and I think it was great for women's basketball."
Both teams started strongly, combining for 43 points in the first 10 minutes. However, the game dramatically slowed down as both coaches adjusted their approaches. There were six lead changes in the second quarter before the Gamecocks took control in the last 15 minutes.
LSU (20-1) fell to its first loss of the season and will head back home to host Texas A&M on Sunday.
Kim Mulkey praised Dawn Staley and South Carolina
Kim Mulkey had nothing but praise after Dawn Staley stained her undefeated record. Even though a 43-game winning streak ended for Staley earlier this season, Mulkey labeled South Carolina as the best team in the nation.
"I learned a lot about my team today. I learned we can hang with the best in the country," she said (Timestamp: 3:18). "And I do think they’re the best in the country. I know UCLA put it on them, but I do think.
"Look, I don’t know that I’ve ever coached against a team that’s got 10 McDonald’s All-Americans on a roster. How do you even keep 10 on a roster? And that's what we faced today and what a challenge it was."
The LSU Tigers have lost 17 consecutive games against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Mulkey, who took charge of the program in 2021, has suffered five straight losses to Dawn Staley.